Brief Rant about Craftsman

[CBW1999]

Sears has taken a big step back in the tool department.

I noticed the change about 3 years ago...returned a ratchet that broke, the sales man rooted around a box (reconditioned tools) and handed me one. prior to that, every time- they walked over to the shelf and grabbed a brand new one for the replacement.

You sometimes can find the repair parts for the ratchets- I wonder if they are starting to repair them on site/in the store? I do not consider that reconditioned- but the cheap way out.

 

[framer]

That's there policy.Take it leave it.That one broke also. done.Framer

 

[DieselPower]

You sometimes can find the repair parts for the ratchets- I wonder if they are starting to repair them on site/in the store? I do not consider that reconditioned- but the cheap way out.

I can remember years ago when that is the only thing they did. If you took in a stripped ratchet they rebuilt it on the spot. That was fine with me since the body wasn't damaged in anyway.

 

[Bruce-4310TX]

If the lug wrench dont fit and you bought it new with the wheels, then ***** at the dealer, wrong wrench or custom wheels. Learn to use the correct tools for the job. But most importantly keep buying those ****** chinese tools cause the next job you send overseas could be yours..........

 

[RobJ]

My rant with craftsman is not that they're really bad tools or anything.

Interesting how you say the thinner wall socket is better than the thicker socket. There is a reason they are thicker, impact sockets are real thick. You can't make paper thin sockets and have them hold up with a 30" breaker bar. As someone mentioned, your rant should be with the person who sold him the vehicle and/or the wheels. There are thousands of special tools for thousands of applications.

It's just that they are not worth the price you pay.

I bet if you paid full price for Snap-on and the others like I did (and others) when I was a mechanic, you'd be saying the same thing but in reverse! I still use a $800 1979 dollar Snap On tool box that I wish I could get $800 for today! Young, broke, and credit.

Rob

 

[RobJ]

I can remember years ago when that is the only thing they did. If you took in a stripped ratchet they rebuilt it on the spot. That was fine with me since the body wasn't damaged in anyway.

DP, I'm guessing you are talking about Snap-on, Mac, etc? Because your dealer in the truck "repaired" stuff on the spot. Break a screwdriver handle?...you only got a new handle. Strip the ratchet, just the gutts were changed. Something like an expensive impact?....send in for repair and you got a loaner!!

Sears was the one that replaced stuff with brand new tools. Not sure how they are now, I'm not that hard on stuff as I used to be. If I stop a Snap-on dealer now, he gives me the skunk eye and MIGHT fix my stuff. Since I'm not a regular customer.

 

[Matt_Jr]

My Snap-on dealer always looks at me funny when he sees cheap tools in my tool box. I've spent over 120k on tools and most are Snap-on, Matco, Mac, and Craftsmen. A few are no names. I like to use the no names for custom stuff. Sometimes you need a 13 millimeter thats a foot long, so cut a cheap one in half and weld a piece of steel in the middle. Sometimes you have a stripped nut and beating on that cheap socket won't make you wince at ruining a $30 one. I've got a set of Flank drive wrenches that cost over $700 10 years ago. I wouldn't dare cut one of those in half. Got a Snap on socket sets that costs over $400 that I'd rather not beat on. Heck, my punch set from happy snappy costs more than most peoples impact guns. But the cheap stuff does have it's place. With over $120k worth of tools at my disposal I've found the cheapest stuff often comes in handy when the expensive stuff is just too darned good to modify. And like the OP stated when they're cheaper, they're smaller, and sometimes, just handier.

 

[DieselPower]

DP, I'm guessing you are talking about Snap-on, Mac, etc? Because your dealer in the truck "repaired" stuff on the spot. Break a screwdriver handle?...you only got a new handle. Strip the ratchet, just the gutts were changed. Something like an expensive impact?....send in for repair and you got a loaner!!

Sears was the one that replaced stuff with brand new tools. Not sure how they are now, I'm not that hard on stuff as I used to be. If I stop a Snap-on dealer now, he gives me the skunk eye and MIGHT fix my stuff. Since I'm not a regular customer.

No I was actually talking about sears. I can remember years ago when they rebuilt ratchet heads in the store at the counter. At least that's what they did at my local ones years ago.

My Snap-on dealer always looks at me funny when he sees cheap tools in my tool box. I've spent over 120k on tools and most are Snap-on, Matco, Mac, and Craftsmen. A few are no names. I like to use the no names for custom stuff. Sometimes you need a 13 millimeter thats a foot long, so cut a cheap one in half and weld a piece of steel in the middle. Sometimes you have a stripped nut and beating on that cheap socket won't make you wince at ruining a $30 one. I've got a set of Flank drive wrenches that cost over $700 10 years ago. I wouldn't dare cut one of those in half. Got a Snap on socket sets that costs over $400 that I'd rather not beat on. Heck, my punch set from happy snappy costs more than most peoples impact guns. But the cheap stuff does have it's place. With over $120k worth of tools at my disposal I've found the cheapest stuff often comes in handy when the expensive stuff is just too darned good to modify. And like the OP stated when they're cheaper, they're smaller, and sometimes, just handier.

Funny you should bring up "modified" tools. I have a couple of drawers full of them. Was using one just today to remove motor mount bolts on a Freightliner tractor with a 60 Series Detroit. A cut off Craftsman socket welded to a 2 foot piece of flat stock. I started to get so many of the homemade/modified tools that I started to engrave what they were for on them.

Amazing how fast you can dump money on a tool truck isn't it. I can remember spending $50K+ a year on tools when I was wrenching full time. After a while you don't even ask how much. I know one thing, if he who dies with the most tools wins I'll be in the running for sure.

 

[Matt_Jr]

Yeah, how much doesn't matter. Unless it's something big. When I bought my last tool box was the last time I asked how much.. wait.. the modis...no.. the 3/4 inch impact.. welder?.. no wonder I'm broke. And I've been pointing the finger at the stock market. It's my need.. er.. want for new shiny stuff I'll probably use only twice.

 

[AMP762]

The great thing about those special tools is,once you buy'um you'll never have to do that job again.